La Fête Nationale celebrating the 1789 French Revolution is without doubt one of the greatest holidays in France, with a preferred navy parade and flyover on the Champs-Elysées and a night of fireworks and music on the Eiffel Tower. However there are various extra occasions happening all through the town to rejoice, and most of them are free!
The Army Parade on the Avenue des Champs Elysées
France’s Bastille Day Parade on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées — with its fighter jet flyover, procession of tanks, and troopers marching proudly of their gown uniforms from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde — is watched by 1000’s in particular person and extra on stay streaming on French TV (France 2). The 2-hour procession begins at 10am with President Emanuel Macron beginning on the Arc de Triomphe, main 5,100 troopers on foot, 66 planes, 28 helicopters, 221 autos and 200 horses of the Republican Guard right down to the Place de la Concorde, the place a musical choir sings for the grand finale.
This 12 months’s parade theme is “Les Forces Morales de la France’’, which highlights the values of the French armies: resilience, braveness, navy brotherhood, and a way of dedication.
In fact, the navy flyovers that open and shut the parade are one of many massive highlights, with the bleu-blanc-rouge plumes of the Patrouille de France getting essentially the most Instagram likes (roughly at 10:30am). You may attempt to watch from any location that provides you a transparent view of the skies above the Champs Elysées. It’s going to even be broadcast, together with the parade and fireworks present, on French TV as ordinary.
The 2023 parade goals to emphasise France’s dedication to “strategic solidarity” with its allies. In complete, troopers from round fifteen nations are becoming a member of the French parade on the Champs-Élysées. Amongst them, India, the visitor of honor, can be represented by its Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who got here to rejoice the twenty fifth anniversary of the strategic partnership between his nation and France, together with 240 Indian troopers on parade and three Indian Rafales for the flyover.
For instance France’s ongoing help for Ukraine, the Caesar cannons of the 4th infantry regiment and the SAMP/T of the air brigade for house management can be a part of the parade. One other spotlight would be the participation of cadets from African navy colleges who associate with France (Benin, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal) marching alongside the cadets of the French navy colleges.
On the finish of the parade, there can be a musical efficiency in tribute to the eightieth anniversary of the demise of French Resistance hero Jean Moulin, the institution of the Nationwide Council of the Resistance, and the Resistance Medal. For the primary time, about forty reservists from the Nationwide Guard may have the glory of carrying the flag throughout this remaining efficiency.
Notice: When you can’t make the parade (or hate crowds), you may catch the follow flyovers and processions within the days main as much as Bastille Day on July ninth and eleventh at Place de la Concorde and alongside the Avenue des Champs Elysées.
Full Video of Final Yr’s Parade
Bastille Day Parade Schedule
Notice that every one begin on the Arc de Triomphe and end at Place de la Concorde.
- 9:30am: Completion of the positioning of the foot and motorized troops on the Étoile (Arc de Triomphe) and inspection of the troops by the final officers.
- 9:45am: Completion of the positioning of the glory detachments of the Republican Guard, at Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.
- 10:00am: Arrival of the President of the Republic, from Avenue Friedland then down the Champs-Elysées.
- 10:15am: Honors given to the President of the Republic at Place de la Concorde by the first and 2nd infantry regiments of the Republican Guard.
- 10:21am: Worldwide navy music efficiency.
- 10:33am: Aerial parade of 66 navy planes (everybody’s favourite half!)
- 10:44am: Parade of foot troops, starting with this 12 months’s Visitor of Honor (India) and the honored troops (African navy colleges, French navy colleges, and technical coaching colleges). They’re adopted by 5100 women and men of the French armed companies.
- 11:29am: Aerial parade of 28 helicopters.
- 11:33am: Starting of the parade of motorized troops (157 autos and 62 bikes). These go so sluggish (additionally appear to get caught in visitors jams, lol) you’ve gotten loads of time for pics.
- 11:47am: Starting of the parade of 200 horseback troops of the Republican Guard.
- 11:51am: Closing presentation celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the Resistance Medal.
- 12:05pm: Departure of the President of the Republic.
Bonus Downloads: Parade PDF and New Bastille Day Parade App
New for 2023 is a free app, “14 Juillet” that provides you the fully-detailed program for the parade, together with the outline of every taking part regiment and navy tools you’ll see taking place (or flying over) the Champs-Elysées. Sadly all the information is barely in French, however there’s a tab on the backside to watch the stay feed in real-time (through the Elysée’s YouTube), so that you received’t miss a factor. There’s additionally a tab for the post-parade actions happening at Les Invalides, Hôtel de Ville, Place de la Nation, and the Parc André-Citroën, and a tab “Le Bleuet” for details about donating blood to help French troops (at Invalides all through the day, reserve your time on the app). Scan the QR code right here or discover the app for iOS on the App Retailer and for Android on Google Play:
When you actually need to geek out and might perceive (or are prepared to auto-translate) French, you’ll be able to obtain the Minister of the Military’s media booklet with the whole schedule and pictures with very detailed descriptions of the individuals, together with their historical past and stats.
Suggestions for Attending the Parade
About 25,000 individuals can be allowed into the “corrals” alongside the Champs Elysées to look at in particular person, so get there no later than 9:30am if you wish to get entry. The police will funnel everybody by a number of checkpoints, so don’t convey something like umbrellas, glass bottles, pocket knives, and so forth, which can be confiscated by safety earlier than you’re allowed to entry the areas reserved for spectators. Alcohol can be prohibited in any container.
Many metro and RER stations within the space are closed for all the morning and thru 2pm, so anticipate large bottlenecks on aspect streets as everybody tries to stroll from the few open metro stations to the Champs-Elysées itself (Miromesnil on the north aspect of the Champs-Elysées and Alma-Marceau on the south aspect are standard). Vélib bike stations are locked within the space, and you might encounter giant crowds blocking the streets in the event you come by yourself bike. Notice that it’s normally not possible to cross the Champs-Elysées, so plan accordingly. In any case, be ready for lengthy walks and put on a hat for the solar or rain!
You may get an inside peek of what’s it like on this Secrets and techniques of Paris Neighborhood members-only article, “Secrets and techniques of Paris Bastille Day Recap.”
Meet the French Army at Invalides
On the finish of the parade, the general public can go to a number of the navy planes and autos and chat with the troopers on the Esplanade des Invalides from 10am-6pm.
There are navy train demonstrations within the North Gardens, parachute jumps, navy music, pastry gross sales from the navy “subject bakery”, a blood assortment middle for French troops within the Cour d’Honneur (reserve a time slot upfront right here), and a stand promoting merchandise from the Bleuet de France boutique (“cornflowers” to help French veterans, victims of terrorist assaults, and their households).
You may see the full schedule right here (once more, in French, sorry!) Click on the picture under to see a bigger PDF exhibiting the place to search out every little thing as soon as on-site.
Different navy demonstrations and stands can be happening on the Parc André-Citroën (Air & House Power), Hôtel de Ville (Navy), and Place de la Nation (Military) all through the day.
The Bal des Pompiers
The standard Bal des Pompiers (Firefighters’ Ball) takes place every year on the eve (and night time) of Bastille Day. Though every station, or “caserne” in French, is free to make their very own hours, usually the events normally begin within the night round 9pm and end at 4am. The occasions are free in idea, however a €2 entry price is normally charged, and raffel tickets are offered to assist increase funds to enhance the working situations of the firefighters or native charities. Music is normally a DJ however generally stay bands play early within the night, and there are all the time foods and drinks stands.
Listed here are the Parisian places for July Thirteenth:
- Caserne Rousseau: 21 Rue du Jour, 1st
- Caserne Sévigné: 7 Rue de Sévigné, 4th
- Caserne La Monnaie: 11 Quai de Conti, sixth
- Caserne Colombier: 11 Rue du Vieux-Colombier, sixth
- Caserne Blanche: 28 Rue Blanche, ninth
- Caserne Chaligny: 26 Rue Chaligny, twelfth
- Caserne Masséna: 37 Boulevard Masséna, Thirteenth
- Caserne Grenelle: 6 Place Violet, fifteenth
- Caserne Boursault: 27 Rue Boursault, seventeenth
- Cité des sciences et de l’industrie: 30 Avenue Corentin Cariou, Nineteenth
- Caserne Bitche: 2 Place de Bitche, Nineteenth
- Caserne Ménilmontant: 47 Rue Saint-Fargeau, twentieth
Parisian places for July 14th:
- Caserne Port Royal: 55 Boulevard de Port-Royal, Thirteenth
- Caserne Montmartre: 12 Rue Carpeaux, 18th
WARNING: Whereas they’re a ton of enjoyable, they’re additionally very crowded, so be ready to attend in traces for every little thing from entrance to meals to loos and watch your belongings for pick-pockets.
And don’t suppose that I forgot to share the well-known “teaser” video of the Strasbourg Bal des Pompiers for 2023, take pleasure in!
There Will Be Fireworks
The fireworks present and stay musical live performance on the Eiffel Tower is happening as ordinary beginning at 9pm on the Champs de Mars with a classical music live performance that includes the Orchestre Nationwide de France, the Radio France Choir, and varied soloists. It will likely be broadcast stay on France 2 tv (and on many YouTube feeds), with the Marseillaise sung for the finale. This 12 months’s theme is “Paris Célèbre les Outre-Mer”, or Paris Celebrates the French Abroad Territories, so anticipate the music and colours of the fireworks to mirror Caribbean, Portuguese, and even Cuban influences (not less than that’s what the press launch says, ha!)
The fireworks above the Eiffel Tower start at 11pm and final for about 35 minutes. Many individuals camp out on the Champ de Mars all day to have a front-row seat, however you’ll be able to see this from wherever with a view of the Eiffel Tower (you’ll need to activate the TV to listen to the synchronized music in the event you’re too far-off to listen to it in particular person). Right here’s the recording of the 2020 present:
Bastille Day Picnic and Social gathering Guidelines
When you’re going to picnic on the Champ de Mars for Bastille Day, know that there can be an enormous police safety presence, identical to the Champs-Elysées, and you’ll doubtless must undergo one of many 4 checkpoints earlier than getting into. Knives (even to your picnic) and glass bottles of any sort are prohibited, in addition to all alcohol after 4pm.
Even if you’ll see everybody attempting to get away with popping open beers and wine throughout Paris, there are fairly strict legal guidelines now about alcohol consumption in public. The police will doubtless flip a blind eye in the event you’re behaving, however be ready to have your wine or booze (particularly if it’s in a glass bottle) confiscated in the event that they determine to crack down.
The Prefect of Police has banned the “acquisition, possession and use” of firecrackers and fireworks by anybody (besides professionals) in Paris and the encircling Petite Couronne suburbs from July 4th till July fifteenth. So don’t suppose that you may pop right down to Chinatown within the Thirteenth and choose up some sparklers and firecrackers to throw your individual personal rooftop pyrotechnics present.
Parisian Rooftops
When you don’t need to watch the navy flyover or the fireworks on the TV and also you don’t have a good view out of your window, the following greatest choice to keep away from the crowds is to attempt to guide a spot – shortly! – at one of many many rooftop bars and eating places in Paris. Advance reservations are a should in all instances and areas refill shortly, such because the Observatory of the Tour de Montparnasse, which is promoting spots for €50.
Different Bastille Day Actions
Bastille Day on the Water
You may watch the fireworks present proper on the Seine with a cruise on the Bateaux Parisiens (€165/particular person, features a field meal; or full dinner cruises from €165); the Vedettes du Pont Neuf (€25/particular person, features a glass of Champagne); Les Bateaux Mouches has dinner cruises with stay orchestra music from €230 (much less formal ones from €95); and Captain Fracasse has dinner cruises from €199.
You received’t see something occurring on the opposite aspect of Paris, nevertheless it’s the right daytime escape to flee the crowds on the Canal de l’Ourcq with six of your pals in a self-drive electrical boat by Marin d’Eau Douce (€200 for boats as much as 7 individuals for the afternoon).
And naturally Paris Plage can be open all day and night on the Quays of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette.
Museums and Monuments Open on Bastille Day
When you’re in search of one thing to do, most — however not all — museums can be open on July 14th, together with the Louvre (with free entry for everybody!), Orsay, Carnavalet, and the Catacombes, in addition to Chateaux Versailles, Chantilly, Vaux-le-Vicomte and the gardens at Giverny. As ordinary, examine on-line (you’ll want advance reserving on-line anyway) to ensure you get in.
Notice that the Arc de Triomphe can be closed all morning (so you’ll be able to’t watch the parade from there) and the Eiffel Tower will shut within the afternoon and night (so you’ll be able to’t watch the fireworks from there). The Petit Palais is closed all day.
What Else is Open on Bastille Day, July 14th?
Meals & Eating: Generally, extra issues are open than in previous years. The open-air markets are open as ordinary (though some stands could also be absent), most supermarkets and comfort shops are both open all day or simply for the morning, and the vast majority of eating places and cafés are open as ordinary (however do name to make a reservation earlier than crossing city). Principally, you’re not susceptible to hunger!
Purchasing: The soldes (summer time gross sales) are nonetheless going robust by July Nineteenth, and outlets aren’t about to overlook out on a day when nobody has to work. So many bigger outlets can be open, together with:
Parks & Swimming pools: Some municipal companies can be closed like libraries and city halls (mairies), however the parks are all open, and some public swimming pools can be open as nicely: Suzanne Berlioux (Les Halles) within the 1st, Roger Le Gall within the twelfth, Josephine Baker within the Thirteenth, Aspirant Dunand within the 14th, Aquaboulevard and Keller within the fifteenth, Champerret within the seventeenth, Pailleron and George Hermant within the Nineteenth, and Georges Vallerey within the twentieth.
Outside Enjoyable
The festive Fête des Tuileries has opened for the summer time with the Ferris wheel, stomach-emptying rides, barbe-à-papa (cotton sweet) and whack-a-mole video games. Open day by day on the Jardin des Tuileries, 11am-midnight (free entry, tickets may be bought for particular person rides), though it might open in a while the 14th as a result of official ceremony happening proper subsequent door on the Place de la Concorde within the morning.
When you’d prefer to get out of the center of the town, the Jardin d’Acclimatation within the Bois de Boulogne is a enjoyable escape, together with the funfair rides extra applicable for youthful youngsters (and anybody who doesn’t like rides that make you puke up your lunch).
Parks and Gardens Open Till Midnight
Most parks and gardens in Paris shut at sundown if they’ve gates. However from July 1-September 4 there are various parks that keep open till midnight, together with:
Parks and Gardens Open 24/7
And this week, due to the warmth wave “canicule” temperatures predicted to achieve 100°F, there are six parks open 24/7 from July Thirteenth-Nineteenth:
Public Transport Notes
Test the RATP web site for station closures in the course of the day. Normally stations all alongside the Champs-Elysées and across the Place de la Concorde are closed in the course of the navy ceremony, and stations across the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro are closed in the course of the fireworks. When you do plan on going out, needless to say even when the Paris metro extends its hours prefer it normally does in the course of the Fête Nationale, ensure you’ve gotten a strong Plan B to get your self house in the event you’re out after 12:45pm. Vélib service may be affected (ie bikes are locked at sure stations to forestall vandalism), so pack your comfortable footwear if you should hoof it house.
Metro/RER Stations Closed All Morning for Parade & Air Present from 6:30am-2pm
- George V
- Tuileries
- Concorde
- Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (solely exit Ave. Carnot can be open at this station, transfers attainable)
Metro/RER Stations Closed within the Afternoon
- RER Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel (from 3pm)
- Passy (from 7pm)
- Dupleix (from 7pm)
- Alma-Marceau (from 7pm)
- Ecole-Militaire (from 7pm)
- Bir-Hakeim (from 7pm)
- RER Pont de l’Alma (from 7pm)
- Boissière (from 11pm)
- Sèvres Lecourbe (from 11pm)
- La Motte-Picquet – Grenelle (from 11pm transfers attainable)
Vélib Bike Share Stations Closed All Day
In anticipation of the July 14 festivities and on the request of the Prefecture of Police, Vélib can be closing round twenty stations, primarily within the seventh and eighth arrondissements of Paris, close to the Champs-Elysées and the Trocadéro. See the complete listing of closed stations right here (ignore the date on the prime of the put up, it’s for July 14th, 2023).
That signifies that not solely will there be no bikes to hire, but additionally the bollards can be blocked by purple gadgets to forestall you from “parking” another Vélib bikes there. You’ll have to examine the Vélib app for the listing of obtainable stations to discover a bike or a parking spot all through the day.
Bus and Tram Closures
Many bus routes inside Paris can be disrupted or diverted for the parade and fireworks present, examine your line right here in the event you depend on it to get round. Moreover, due to the latest civil unrest in sure Parisian suburbs in late June, the trams and busses will cease working by 10pm, with many traces making their final cross from 8pm. There can be no Noctilien night time bus companies on July 13 or July 14.
Did You Know?
First celebrated in 1790 to mark the one-year anniversary of the July 14th storming of the Bastille jail that kicked off the French Revolution, it was initially referred to as the Fête de la Fédération. And since the Revolution hadn’t fairly but entered “Terror” mode – they had been nonetheless testing the Constitutional Monarchy mannequin – King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette had been even allowed to go away their heavily-surveillanced residence on the Tuileries Palace to attend the occasion as “King and Queen of the French”.
